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I got a gut feeling there's a small force in the east and a much bigger one in the north. The Elders are collecting dust because none of the scouts returned from the north. I can't do anything but watch.

Contents

Background

Tough, old, and confident, John Maxson was born into the Brotherhood around 2097 and is as good as the Maxson line of Brotherhood generals come. He showed tremendous promise as an Initiate and a Knight, travelling the wastes far and wide and forming lasting relations with various people in the wasteland, including Butch Harris.[2][3] By the time he was inducted into the Paladin caste in 2135, at 38, he was a formidable warrior and a force to be reckoned with. His reputation and talents were further confirmed when he rose to the rank of Head Paladin, the absolute best warrior and tactical commander within the Brotherhood of Steel.[4]

His last promotion came at the cost of a personal tragedy. In 2155, his father was killed in a skirmish with the Vipers. Four years later, in 2159, the Council convinced him to accept the position of High Elder,[5] becoming the third Maxson to hold the rank. However, he was not quite aware of the sheer volume of politics associated with the office. By the time the Vault Dweller meets him in 2162, he is 65. His body ages, but his mind remains as sharp as ever, yearning to fight the enemies of the Brotherhood, rather than remain underground.[4]

Maxson isn't too popular among the Elders, as he is considered a bit crazy. His claims about an army massing in the north are met with incredulity and all motions to send an expedition there are voted down as risky. After all, sending tens of troops into the irradiated wastes can be dangerous and risk the Brotherhood's very existence.

Interactions with the player character

Interactions overview

Quests

Scout the northern wastes: Maxson asks the player to confirm reports of a super mutant army in the north (Mariposa). Asking for money to go on this quest will cause Maxson to question your morals, and can result in immediate dismissal from the Brotherhood.

"Hehehe. A fine, handsome, upstanding man. The High Elder position is to mediate the meetings between the Elders. You see, two years ago I got talked into it. If I'd of known then..." Quoted verbatim, error appeared in the original source

Elders

"Well you see there's four of them and that's about all they can ever agree on. They can't even agree if they want to piss, much less pick a pot to piss in."

"Well that was when my granddad, Roger Maxson, led his soldiers here and started the Brotherhood. He never mentioned where they came from, but it doesn't really matter, 'cause...well, this is our home now."

Gangs

"Well, there's not much to tell. I never ran into any of them. I've heard they're a problem for the people of Adytum, though."

"You want to hear about the Water Merchants. Hehehe, well you can't trust them. A few years ago, they offered us Water for a huge stockpile of weapons. We told them no, and you know what they did? Sent in thieves to steal the weapons! We caught 'em, but the Elders voted down going to the Hub to teach the merchants a lesson."

"Well, Scribes copy down the weapon specs. We've got information all the way back to my granddad. Sometimes a scribe comes up with a new idea for a weapon. Hehehe. Doesn't happen too often. They all answer to Vree."

Traders

"They're the main ones we trade with. Not totally trustworthy, but not as bad as the others."

Appearances

References

↑The Vault Dweller: "{1012}{}{Hub}"John Maxson: "{1112}{Gen_64}{The Hub's down to the southeast. They trade us food and things for the weapons we make here. Now if you're ever down there, you talk to Butch Harris.}"(MAXSON.MSG)

↑The Vault Dweller: "{1013}{}{Butch}"John Maxson: "{1113}{Gen_65}{Butch is the head of the Far Go Traders. He's a little slimy, but he's not a total waste. Unlike those Water Merchants. Bunch of damn vultures, all of 'em.}"(MAXSON.MSG)

↑ 4.04.1Fallout Official Survival Guide p.101-102: "General Maxson: High Elder of the BrotherhoodMaxson is the leader of the Brotherhood tough, old, and confident. He was born about twenty years after the apocalypse, and knows a little about the war from stories told by his father and grandfather. He can give the player a book describing the history of the order. Last in a long line of generals, he would rather be outside fighting enemies than tied down by the politics of his office. He is busy, direct, and honest. He can tell the player much about the order and the people within it.HintsMaxson responds well to directness, and has no patience for characters who beat around the bush or waste his time. By warning him of the mutant threat, the player can get the Brotherhood's help against the mutants."

↑The Vault Dweller: "{1006}{}{Elder}"John Maxson: "{1106}{Gen_58}{Hehehe. A fine, handsome, upstanding man. The High Elder position is to mediate the meetings between the Elders. You see, two years ago I got talked into it. If I'd of known then...}"(MAXSON.MSG)

Tools

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